We're partnering with Best Practice in Nursing

After the success of last year's event, we're once again partnering with Best Practice in Nursing to provide free training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and anaphylaxis. Both skills are mandatory for nurses and part of the annual revalidation training and certification requirements.

Our first aid trainers will be at the Best Practice in Nursing event from 19 – 20 October 2016 to demonstrate how to help someone who is unresponsive and not breathing or having an anaphylactic reaction.

The workshops, which will run throughout both days, feature presentations and practical assessments in accordance with the latest guidance. Places are limited; visit bestpracticeinnursing.co.uk to claim your complimentary ticket.

Q&A on CPR and anaphylaxis

We asked James Beech, our training product manager, to bust common myths on CPR and anaphylaxis and provide an update on the current resuscitation guidelines.

When learning CPR, what are some of the most common mistakes people tend to make?

On the whole, people manage to do really effective chest compressions but it’s normally the rescue breaths that need a little bit more practice.

There are quite a few things you need to remember:

tilt the head back

lift the chin

pinch the nose

create a seal

blow steadily into the mouth.

Forgetting one of those steps can mean that the rescue breaths don’t work, but after a little bit of practice, most people get the hang of it quite quickly.

Are there any common misconceptions about anaphylaxis?

The most common misconception tends to be that using an auto-injector means the casualty no longer requires medical assistance. It’s important to call for an ambulance before using the auto-injector so as not to delay its arrival.

The auto-injectors themselves are incredibly simple to use; there are instructions on the side to show the person how to administer the medication.

Following last year’s release of the new European Resuscitation Council guidelines, what’s changed?

More emphasis has been placed on certain aspects, such as the importance of early intervention and ensuring that first aid steps are easy to follow so that people do something in a first aid emergency.